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1998 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

Stratus 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Stratus. There were two fires that originated in the right rear wheel. The contact stated the dealership did some work on the vehicle, and when he got the vehicle back he had the same problem. The fires were due to a malfunction in the anti-lock braking system. The fires occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The first fire was on July 2005, and the second occurred on August 2005.

Stratus 4-cyl

Automatic transmission

97,526 miles

Brakes, outer tie rod, brake calipers, engine oil inner seal. Brake pads, since I have owned this car I have replaced the brake pads 20 times every 3 months and the brake caliber on the right rear this will make the 9th time I am running out of money on this car the front brakes and hubs have been replaced several times have all my receipts and can prove the work that has been done on my car cost of oil leak repair was over $800 dollars and guess what I will have the car paid for this month and I am still working on the wheels and brakes I need some help with this car and the dealership I purchased the car from will not respond to my questions about the brakes, and the engine problems I am having.

Stratus 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

45,343 miles

When the brakes were applied vehicle did not stop, resulting in a collision. Prior to the collision the brakes failed, and consumer jumped a curb, consumer turned the vehicle off, and that stopped the vehicle. The vehicle airbag did not deploy. As a result of the collision the vehicle was declared a total wreck by met life insurance company.

Stratus

miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my car in because I needed to have the brakes repaired as a regular item of repair, secondary to wear and tear. This was early in December 2000. The mechanic also checked over the car and reported that as with many 1998 Dodge Stratus' I will need to keep an eye on the cylinder head gasket. The mechanic also informed me that I should check with the dealer and see if this item has yet been recalled. I then had no problems for the next few weeks when I was turning around a corner slowly and an awful noise occurred. I then parked the car and when I returned I had a large oil leak on the ground. I scheduled an appointment with my trusted mechanic and they checked it over when they noticed that the head gasket needed replacing, the entire pulley system was seizing up and needed replacing and my manifold needs to be replaced. The cost of this was $1,000 and that was without replacing the manifold, as I could not afford it at that time. I have called the dealership and they reported that they would have to schedule an appointment to look at the car, submit a claim to the regional manager of daimler Chrysler and they have been known to help out with approx. $200. Of the repairs. Well since I was in the process of moving to ga from ca and had to stay on schedule I was unable to stay back for the appointment which wasn't until a week later. Upone my request for the name and number of the regional manager of daimler Chrysler, they said, I cannot give that information to you. We are the only ones with this information and you must bring to car in for us to inspect. When I asked them if this inpection would cost, they reported, depending upon the tests needed. I knew that financially, even if I was approved for $200 assistance I was better off getting this fixed by a trusted less expensive mechanic and fight the battle later. Clearly a vehicle with 70,000 hwy miles, with oil changes every 3,500 miles should not need a new manifold, a new pulley system and all new gaskets

Stratus

miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Braking system loses pressure when pedal is engaged. Ongoing problem that has gotten worse. New rotors and pads installed @ 50K miles, but problem not resolved. Pedal loses pressure when transmission changes to lower gear and vehicle has no braking power and "glides" until brakes "catch" again. Does this over and over during single braking/stopping incident. Pedal eventually pressed to floor with little effect.

Stratus

miles

Brakes had to be replaced at under 20,000 miles. Rotors warped. There is a problem with the brakes on the Dodge Stratus. I work for Chrysler, and I have spoken with other owners who have encountered the same type of problem with their Stratus'.

Stratus

miles

Whenever brakes are applied, they would make loud squealing noises. They would let go while being pressed. Rearended another vehicle when the brakes failed to work properly at 60 mph. At time of impact, the air bags did not deploy.

Stratus

miles

When the brake pedal is applied it goes to the floor, increasing extended stopping distance. Brakes respond late. Also, brake pads have been replaced 7 times. Dealer says that they can't find the cause of the problem.

Stratus

miles

I have had the brakes fail on my Stratus 5 times so far (and counting) to the point where I had no breaking power and was forced to use the parking brake on all occasions to stop the vehicle in time before crashing into other vehicles. On all occasions I have been driving at low speeds, on dry roads, for generally only 15 -30 minutes after getting into the vehicle. The dealer has looked at it and found no diagnosable problem. I am having them look at it one more time next week and then if it is not fixed, I will have the nh motor vehicle arbitration board arbirtrate to get me a new vehcile.

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